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Faanu A, Tettey-Larbi L, Akuo-ko EO, Kwabena Gyekye P, Kpeglo DO, Lawluvi H, Kansaana C, Adjei-Kyereme S, Efa AO, Tóth-Bodrogi E, Kovács T, Shahrokhi A. Radiological landscape of natural resources and mining: Unveiling the environmental impact of naturally occurring radioactive materials in Ghana's mining areas. Heliyon 2024; 10:e24959. [PMID: 38317974 PMCID: PMC10838772 DOI: 10.1016/j.heliyon.2024.e24959] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/19/2023] [Revised: 01/08/2024] [Accepted: 01/17/2024] [Indexed: 02/07/2024] Open
Abstract
This study provides a general observation of the status of naturally occurring radioactive materials (NORMs) distribution in mining and industrial areas of Ghana in order to establish regional and national data on NORMs. The study includes data on radioactivity concentrations of U-238, Th-232, and K-40 in soils and for water concentrations of Ra-226, Th-228, and K-40 from various mining, oil, and gas communities, as well as water sources used for crop farming and farmlands. The average activity concentrations of U-238, Th-232, and K-40 in the soil samples were found to be 59 ± 16 Bq/kg, 48 ± 15 Bq/kg, and 286 ± 57 Bq/kg, respectively. The average concentration of Ra-226, Th-228, and K-40 in the water samples were found to be 1.62 ± 0.33 Bq/L, 2.08 ± 0.53 Bq/L, and 22.36 ± 3.44 Bq/L, respectively. The estimated average annual effective doses from external and internal exposure pathways in soil and water samples were 0.09 mSv/y and 0.54 mSv/y, respectively. The total annual effective dose resulting from both exposure pathways was calculated to be 0.63 mSv/y, which is below the 1 mSv/y dose limit recommended by the International Commission on Radiological Protection (ICRP) for controlling public radiation exposure. Based on the radiological hazard indices, the majority of the soil samples were found to be suitable as building materials as their respective indices were below the limits except for two sample locations and the sludge and scale samples. The average Excess Lifetime Cancer Risk (ELCR) value of the water samples was 1.6 times greater than the recommended value of 1.16 × 10-3, presenting a relatively higher risk to the public of developing cancer. No significant regional differences in the levels of radioactive elements. The regression models demonstrate strong interrelationships between the studied elements, with high R-squared values suggesting a predictable nature of one element's concentration based on others.
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Affiliation(s)
- Augustine Faanu
- Radiological and Non-ionizing Installations Directorate, Nuclear Regulatory Authority, Ghana
| | - Lordford Tettey-Larbi
- Radiological and Non-ionizing Installations Directorate, Nuclear Regulatory Authority, Ghana
- Research Centre for Biochemical, Environmental and Chemical Engineering, University of Pannonia, 8200, Veszprém, Hungary
| | - Esther Osei Akuo-ko
- Research Centre for Biochemical, Environmental and Chemical Engineering, University of Pannonia, 8200, Veszprém, Hungary
| | - Prince Kwabena Gyekye
- Radiological and Non-ionizing Installations Directorate, Nuclear Regulatory Authority, Ghana
| | - David Okoh Kpeglo
- Radiation Protection Institute, Ghana Atomic Energy Commission, Ghana
| | - Henry Lawluvi
- Radiological and Non-ionizing Installations Directorate, Nuclear Regulatory Authority, Ghana
| | - Charles Kansaana
- Radiological and Non-ionizing Installations Directorate, Nuclear Regulatory Authority, Ghana
| | - Serwaa Adjei-Kyereme
- Radiological and Non-ionizing Installations Directorate, Nuclear Regulatory Authority, Ghana
| | - Alexander Opoku Efa
- Radiological and Non-ionizing Installations Directorate, Nuclear Regulatory Authority, Ghana
| | - Edit Tóth-Bodrogi
- Research Centre for Biochemical, Environmental and Chemical Engineering, University of Pannonia, 8200, Veszprém, Hungary
| | - Tibor Kovács
- Research Centre for Biochemical, Environmental and Chemical Engineering, University of Pannonia, 8200, Veszprém, Hungary
| | - Amin Shahrokhi
- Research Centre for Biochemical, Environmental and Chemical Engineering, University of Pannonia, 8200, Veszprém, Hungary
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Faanu A, Adukpo OK, Tettey-Larbi L, Lawluvi H, Kpeglo DO, Darko EO, Emi-Reynolds G, Awudu RA, Kansaana C, Amoah PA, Efa AO, Ibrahim AD, Agyeman B, Kpodzro R, Agyeman L. Natural radioactivity levels in soils, rocks and water at a mining concession of Perseus gold mine and surrounding towns in Central Region of Ghana. Springerplus 2016; 5:98. [PMID: 26877896 PMCID: PMC4735091 DOI: 10.1186/s40064-016-1716-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/15/2015] [Accepted: 01/13/2016] [Indexed: 11/10/2022]
Abstract
Levels of naturally occurring radioactive materials prior to processing of gold ore within and around the new eastern concession area of Perseus Mining (Ghana) Limited were carried out to ascertain the baseline radioactivity levels. The study was based on situ measurements of external gamma dose rate at 1 m above ground level as well as laboratory analysis by direct gamma spectrometry to quantify the radionuclides of interest namely; (238)U, (232)Th and (40)K in soil, rock, ore samples and gross alpha/beta analysis in water samples. The average absorbed dose rate in air at 1 m above sampling point using a radiation survey metre was determined to be 0.08 ± 0.02 μGyh(-1) with a corresponding average annual effective dose calculated to be 0.093 ± 0.028 mSv. The average activity concentrations of (238)U, (232)Th, and (40)K in the soil, rock, and ore samples were 65.1 ± 2.2, 71.8 ± 2.2 and 1168.3 Bqkg(-1) respectively resulting in an average annual effective dose of 0.91 ± 0.32 mSv. The average Radium equivalent activity value was 257.8 ± 62.4 Bqkg(-1) in the range of 136.6-340.2 Bqkg(-1). The average values of external and internal indices were 0.7 ± 0.2 and 0.9 ± 0.2 respectively. The average gross alpha and gross beta activity concentrations in the water samples were determined to be 0.0032 ± 0.0024 and 0.0338 ± 0.0083 Bql(-1) respectively. The total annual effective dose from the pathways considered for this study (gamma ray from the soil, rock and ore samples as well as doses determined from the gross alpha/beta activity concentration in water samples) was calculated to be 0.918 mSv. The results obtained in this study shows that the radiation levels are within the natural background radiation levels found in literature and compare well with similar studies for other countries and the total annual effective dose is below the ICRP recommended level of 1 mSv for public exposure control.
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Affiliation(s)
- A. Faanu
- Environmental Protection and Waste Management Centre, Radiation Protection Institute, Ghana Atomic Energy Commission, Legon, P. O. Box LG 80, Accra, Ghana
| | - O. K. Adukpo
- Environmental Protection and Waste Management Centre, Radiation Protection Institute, Ghana Atomic Energy Commission, Legon, P. O. Box LG 80, Accra, Ghana
| | - L. Tettey-Larbi
- Environmental Protection and Waste Management Centre, Radiation Protection Institute, Ghana Atomic Energy Commission, Legon, P. O. Box LG 80, Accra, Ghana
| | - H. Lawluvi
- Environmental Protection and Waste Management Centre, Radiation Protection Institute, Ghana Atomic Energy Commission, Legon, P. O. Box LG 80, Accra, Ghana
| | - D. O. Kpeglo
- Environmental Protection and Waste Management Centre, Radiation Protection Institute, Ghana Atomic Energy Commission, Legon, P. O. Box LG 80, Accra, Ghana
| | - E. O. Darko
- Environmental Protection and Waste Management Centre, Radiation Protection Institute, Ghana Atomic Energy Commission, Legon, P. O. Box LG 80, Accra, Ghana
| | - G. Emi-Reynolds
- Environmental Protection and Waste Management Centre, Radiation Protection Institute, Ghana Atomic Energy Commission, Legon, P. O. Box LG 80, Accra, Ghana
| | - R. A. Awudu
- Environmental Protection and Waste Management Centre, Radiation Protection Institute, Ghana Atomic Energy Commission, Legon, P. O. Box LG 80, Accra, Ghana
| | - C. Kansaana
- Environmental Protection and Waste Management Centre, Radiation Protection Institute, Ghana Atomic Energy Commission, Legon, P. O. Box LG 80, Accra, Ghana
| | - P. A. Amoah
- Environmental Protection and Waste Management Centre, Radiation Protection Institute, Ghana Atomic Energy Commission, Legon, P. O. Box LG 80, Accra, Ghana
| | - A. O. Efa
- Environmental Protection and Waste Management Centre, Radiation Protection Institute, Ghana Atomic Energy Commission, Legon, P. O. Box LG 80, Accra, Ghana
| | - A. D. Ibrahim
- Environmental Protection and Waste Management Centre, Radiation Protection Institute, Ghana Atomic Energy Commission, Legon, P. O. Box LG 80, Accra, Ghana
| | - B. Agyeman
- Environmental Protection and Waste Management Centre, Radiation Protection Institute, Ghana Atomic Energy Commission, Legon, P. O. Box LG 80, Accra, Ghana
| | - R. Kpodzro
- Environmental Protection and Waste Management Centre, Radiation Protection Institute, Ghana Atomic Energy Commission, Legon, P. O. Box LG 80, Accra, Ghana
| | - L. Agyeman
- Environmental Protection and Waste Management Centre, Radiation Protection Institute, Ghana Atomic Energy Commission, Legon, P. O. Box LG 80, Accra, Ghana
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Tettey-Larbi L, Faanu A, Adukpo O, Kansaana C, Lawluvi H, Kpeglo D, Darko E, Emi-Reynolds G, Awudu R, Amoah P, Efa A, Ibrahim A, Agyeman B, Kpodzro R, Agyeman L. Impact assessment of naturally occurring radioactive materials on the public from gold mining and processing at Newmont Golden Ridge Limited, Akyem, Eastern Region of Ghana. Radiat Prot Environ 2016. [DOI: 10.4103/0972-0464.194962] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/04/2022] Open
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Adukpo OK, Faanu A, Lawluvi H, Tettey-Larbi L, Emi-Reynolds G, Darko EO, Kansaana C, Kpeglo DO, Awudu AR, Glover ET, Amoah PA, Efa AO, Agyemang LA, Agyeman BK, Kpordzro R, Doe AI. Reply to the letter written by Mayeen Uddin Khandaker on: “Distribution and assessment of radionuclides in sediments, soil and water from the lower basin of river Pra in the Central and Western Regions of Ghana” (DOI 10.1007/s10967-014-3637-5). J Radioanal Nucl Chem 2015. [DOI: 10.1007/s10967-015-4145-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/24/2022]
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Faanu A, Lawluvi H, Kpeglo DO, Darko EO, Emi-Reynolds G, Awudu AR, Adukpo OK, Kansaana C, Ali ID, Agyeman B, Agyeman L, Kpodzro R. Assessment of natural and anthropogenic radioactivity levels in soils, rocks and water in the vicinity of Chirano Gold Mine in Ghana. Radiat Prot Dosimetry 2014; 158:87-99. [PMID: 23934347 DOI: 10.1093/rpd/nct197] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/02/2023]
Abstract
Studies have been carried out within and around the operational area of the Chirano Gold Mine Ltd of Ghana to ascertain the baseline radioactivity levels of naturally occurring radioactive materials as well as artificial radionuclides in the surface and underground mines. The analysis was carried out by using gamma spectrometry to quantify the radionuclides of interest, namely (238)U, (232)Th, (137)Cs and (40)K in soil, ore, waste rock and water samples. The average activity concentrations of (238)U, (232)Th, (40)K and (137)Cs in the soil/rock samples were 9.79±5.39, 9.18±7.06, 237.40±144.34 and 0.64±0.57 Bq kg(-1), respectively. For the water samples, the average activity concentrations were 0.86±0.67, 0.97±1.33 and 9.05±10.45 Bq l(-1) for (226)Ra, (232)Th and (40)K, respectively. The total annual effective dose to the public was estimated to be 0.13 mSv, which is below the International Commission on Radiological Protection recommended level of 1 mSv for public exposure control. The study also assessed the elemental concentrations of U, Th and K in the soil/rock samples from the gold mine and surrounding communities. The average concentrations of the U, Th and K were 0.82±0.48, 2.18±1.77 µg g(-1) and 0.77±0.47 %, respectively. The concentrations of U, Th and K were variable in soil and rock samples taken from different locations in the study area with values varying in the range 0.28-2.21, 0.24-6.50 µg g(-1) and 0.28-1.87 %, respectively. The concentrations of U, Th and K are far lower than the world average values but comparable with the range of similar studies for different countries. The concentration values of gross-alpha and gross-beta for all the water samples were below the Ghana Standards Authority and World Health Organisation recommended guideline values for drinking water quality. The results obtained in this study also show that radiation levels are within the natural background radiation levels found in the literature and compare well with those of similar studies for other countries including Ghana.
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Affiliation(s)
- A Faanu
- Environmental Protection and Waste Management Centre, Radiation Protection Institute, Ghana Atomic Energy Commission, PO Box LG 80, Legon, Accra, Ghana
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Darko EO, Kpeglo DO, Akaho EHK, Schandorf C, Adu PAS, Faanu A, Abankwah E, Lawluvi H, Awudu AR. Radiation doses and hazards from processing of crude oil at the Tema oil refinery in Ghana. Radiat Prot Dosimetry 2012; 148:318-328. [PMID: 21486833 DOI: 10.1093/rpd/ncr088] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/30/2023]
Abstract
Processing of crude oil has been carried out in Ghana for more than four decades without measures to assess the hazards associated with the naturally occurring radionuclides in the raw and processed materials. This study investigates the exposure of the public to (226)Ra, (232)Th and (40)K in crude oil, petroleum products and wastes at the Tema oil refinery in Ghana using gamma-ray spectrometry. The study shows higher activity concentrations of the natural radionuclides in the wastes than the crude oil and the products with estimated hazard indices less than unity. The values obtained in the study are within recommended limits for public exposure indicating that radiation exposure from processing of the crude oil at the refinery does not pose any significant radiological hazard but may require monitoring to establish long-term effect on both public and workers.
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Affiliation(s)
- E O Darko
- Radiation Protection Institute, GAEC, Box LG80, Legon, Ghana.
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Awudu AR, Faanu A, Darko EO, Emi-Reynolds G, Adukpo OK, Kpeglo DO, Otoo F, Lawluvi H, Kpodzro R, Ali ID, Obeng MK, Agyeman B. Preliminary studies on 226Ra, 228Ra, 228Th and 40K concentrations in foodstuffs consumed by inhabitants of Accra metropolitan area, Ghana. J Radioanal Nucl Chem 2011. [DOI: 10.1007/s10967-011-1444-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/17/2022]
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